Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
Arizona
Buffs Vs. Arizona: What You Need To Know
November 11, 2023 | Football, Neill Woelk
COLORADO BUFFALOES (4-5, 1-5)
vs. No. 23 ARIZONAÂ (6-3, 4-2)
 BOULDER — Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes are hoping the third time in three weeks is a charm.
For the third straight week, the Buffs will face off with a nationally ranked opponent Saturday when they play host to No. 23 Arizona in a noon game at Folsom Field (Pac-12 Networks).
The Buffs do have a win against a ranked foe this year, their 45-42 win over then-No. 17 TCU in the season opener.
But since then, Colorado has come up short four times against ranked teams, including UCLA and Oregon State in the last two weeks.
Saturday's game will be the home finale for Colorado this season, as the Buffs will also mark Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day. The game is a sellout and will mark the 10th time in 10 games this year that Colorado has played in front of a sold-out crowd. Georgia, Tennessee and Notre Dame are the only other schools in the nation to achieve that feat this season.
The nuts and bolts from Saturday's game:
KICKOFF:Â Noon (MT), Folsom Field (50,183).
TV, RADIO: The game will be televised by the Pac-12 Network with Ted Robinson and Yogi Roth in the booth and Ashley Adamson on the sidelines. The radio broadcast will be carried by KOA (850 AM) with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett upstairs and Andy Lindahl on the sidelines. KOA's coverage begins at 10 a.m.
ON THE INTERNET: The game can be heard on the internet at CUBuffs.com. Live statistics will also be available at CUBuffs.com.
THE COACHES: Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders has a 4-5 record at Colorado in his first year as CU's head coach after three seasons at Jackson State, where he compiled a 27-6 record. Jedd Fisch is 6-3 this year at Arizona and 13-22 overall with the Wildcats in three seasons.
THE SERIES: Colorado leads the overall series 16-9, including a 7-5 mark in Boulder. Arizona won the last meeting, 43-20, last year in TucsonÂ
WHAT'S AT STAKE: The Buffs need a win to snap a three-game losing streak and boost their postseason hopes. The Wildcats are already bowl eligible but a win would keep them in no worse than a tie for fourth in the Pac-12 standings.
TEAM LEADERS: Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders is still among the nation's leaders with 2,882 yards and 24 touchdown passes and just three interceptions. He is second in the nation in passing yards per game (320).
Colorado has three players with at least 40 receptions, led by Xavier Weaver (60-783 yards, 4 TDs). Jimmy Horn Jr. has 52 for 499 and five touchdowns, followed by Travis Hunter (40-458, 3).
Dylan Edwards leads CU in rushing with 63 carries for 268 yards and a score.
Defensively, safety/linebacker Trevor Woods leads Colorado with 52 tackles, and he also has two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Safety Shilo Sanders has 49 tackles and the only defensive score of the season, an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown. Safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig and cornerback Travis Hunter each have three interceptions and edge rusher Jordan Domineck has a team-best five sacks.
Arizona freshman quarterback Noah Fifita has started the last five games and has thrown for 1,521 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. Jacob Cowing has 69 catches for 510 yards and nine touchdowns and Tetairoa McMillan has 52 catches for 753 yards and seven scores.
Jonah Coleman leads UA in rushing with 584 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, linebacker Jacob Manu leads UA with 79 tackles, including 7.5 for loss. Defensive lineman T. Upshaw leads the Wildcats with 7.5 sacks.
KEY MATCHUP: Colorado's secondary vs. Arizona QB Fifita. While the UA freshman is a playmaker, he can also be forced into mistakes (four interceptions in the last five games). If the Buffs can disrupt him in the pocket and push him into hurrying his throws, CU can come up with a critical turnover or two and build momentum. Colorado has forced six turnovers in the last two games — the Buffs could use a couple more Saturday.Â
UP NEXT:Â The Buffs hit the road for their last two games of the season, beginning with next Friday's 8:30 p.m. (MT) game at Washington State (FS1). They then wrap up the regular season Nov. 25 at Utah, with kickoff time still to be determined.
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